If you take IELTS for Express Entry, it must be IELTS General Training. For CLB 9 you need 7 in Writing, Reading and Speaking, and 8 in Listening.
Up to 10 essays free, no card. Need more?
IELTS General Training
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
Also from: IRCC: Express Entry language requirements, IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program
IELTS General Training
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
IELTS General Training
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
IELTS General Training
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
For one person with no partner, Writing 6.5 (CLB 8) gives 23 points for Writing, and Writing 7 (CLB 9) gives 31. Some extra points need CLB 9 in all four skills. Results must be less than 2 years old when you make your profile and when you apply.
From: IRCC: the points table, IRCC: work permit after graduation, IRCC: IELTS scores for the work permit after graduation
In IELTS's own 2024-2025 General Training data, Writing had the second-lowest average of the four skills, after Reading. IELTS test taker performance data, 2024-2025.
One Skill Retake: not accepted for Express Entry. If one score is too low, you take all four parts again.
Who accepts One Skill Retake
Choose as your target the Writing band of the CLB level you want. For CLB 9, that is 7.0 in Writing. Your rewrite then shows your own letter or essay at that band.
Express Entry takes only IELTS General Training, so write its letters and Task 2 essays. Time each one with the practice timer.
Half a band can change your points, so begin with your lowest criterion and its labeled corrections. With no One Skill Retake for Express Entry, check your Task 1 and Task 2 bands before you book.
No. IRCC says you must take the IELTS General Training option for Express Entry. An Academic result will not count, so check the version before you book.
No. IRCC says it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. If one score is too low, you need a new full test.
Your results must be less than 2 years old when you make your Express Entry profile, and again when you apply for permanent residence. IRCC refuses an application with expired results.
Writing 7.0 is CLB 9, and Writing 7.5 or more is CLB 10. For CLB 9 in every skill you also need Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0 and Speaking 7.0, which many people write as 8777.
No. Express Entry takes only IELTS General Training, and IELTS Online is an Academic test. IELTS also says to take your test at a test center for visas and immigration.
For a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, you need CLB 7: 6.0 in each part of IELTS General Training. For a college or other non-university program, CLB 5: 5.0 in Writing, Listening and Speaking, and 4.0 in Reading. IRCC's page for this permit lists IELTS General Training only, not Academic.
No. Citizenship asks for proof that you can speak and listen at CLB 4 or higher, if you are 18 to 54. Writing is not part of it.
Your spouse or partner can add points with their own IELTS General Training result. At CLB 9 or more, they get the most points: 5 for each skill, up to 20. For Writing, CLB 9 means 7.0.
This page sums up official rules in plain words. It is not immigration or legal advice. Rules change, so check the official page before you book or apply. Every rule here was checked on or after 19 October 2026. VoyaLang is not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP, or Cambridge Assessment English.
